Search results for "Pancreatic elastase"
showing 4 items of 44 documents
Anti-inflammatory profile of dehydrocostic acid, a novel sesquiterpene acid with a pharmacophoric conjugated diene
2005
Sesquiterpene acids are natural products that, in contrast with the thoroughly studied sesquiterpene lactones, have received little pharmacological attention. A good source of this class of compounds is Inula viscosa (Asteraceae), a plant with documented anti-inflammatory effects. The present paper gives the results of our investigations on the biochemical mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory activity of one such compound, dehydrocostic acid. The most salient findings were that in vitro dehydrocostic acid inhibits leukotriene B(4) production (IC(50)=22 microM), elastase activity (IC(50)=43 microM) and bee venom phospholipase A(2) activity (IC(50)=17 microM). Furthermore, this sesqui…
Anti-inflammatory activity in mice of extracts from Mediterranean marine invertebrates.
1998
The effects of dichloromethane and methanol extracts from the marine invertebrates Leptogorgia ceratophyta, Holothuria tubulosa, Coscinasterias tenuispina and Phallusia fumigata on carrageenan-induced paw oedema in mice were investigated. The dichloromethane extract of Coscinasterias tenuispina and the methanol extract of Holothuria tubulosa administered p.o. at 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, inhibited oedema in a dose-dependent manner 3 h after administration of carrageenan. Both extracts partially decreased elastase activity and PGE2 levels measured in homogenates from inflamed paws, without affecting the levels of this prostanoid present in stomach homogenates. As observed with the selective inh…
Dihydrocucurbitacin B, isolated from Cayaponia tayuya, reduces damage in adjuvant-induced arthritis
2005
23,24-Dihydrocucurbitacin B, from the anti-rheumatic plant Cayaponia tayuya, was tested on arthritis induced by adjuvant to corroborate the anti-inflammatory properties of this plant. Arthritis was induced in Lewis rats; the resulting arthritic rats were then treated with dihydrocucurbitacin B (1 mg/kg orally, daily, 1 week). The effect of dihydrocucurbitacin B on the synthesis, release, and activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes (elastase, cyclooxygenase-2, and nitric oxide synthase-2) as well as its effect on different mediators (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta) were determined. Dihydrocucurbitacin B modified the evolution of the clinical symptoms, reducing the swelling an…
Thromboxane biosynthesis, neutrophil and coagulative activation in type IIa hypercholesterolemia
1995
SummaryThromboxane (Tx) A2 biosynthesis is enhanced in the majority of patients with type IIa hypercholesterolemia. Because blood clotting activation is an important component of the inflammatory response, involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic plaques, we have investigated TxA2 biosynthesis, neutrophil activation and thrombin generation in 24 patients with type IIa hypercholesterolemia.Urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2, was significantly higher (p =0.0001) in patients than in 24 sex- and age matched healthy subjects. Similarly, prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), thrombin-antithrombin III complexes and plasma elastase were significantly higher in patients than incontrols. Urinary…